Mrs. Carla Skidmore

Mrs. Carla Skidmore, 85, of Pittsfield, passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023. Born in Orange, NJ in 1937, the daughter of the late David and Retta Udall Penny, she graduated from Rutherford High School, Rutherford, NJ, in 1955, along with her future husband. She then graduated from the Passaic General Hospital School of Nursing, Passaic, NJ, following a three-year program that included 2 semesters at Rutgers University in Newark, NJ, and 2 additional years with extensive exposure to a variety of nursing opportunities in Mental Health, Pediatrics, operating room support, including general hospital work and classroom studies at the hospital. Upon graduation in October of 1958, she had earned recognition as an RN. She then worked at the Passaic Hospital for 2 years in the operating room. Among many things, she enjoyed, gardening, local arts, theater, and travel. Carla is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Robert Skidmore. They dated exclusively for 5 years since the end of their junior year in high school and were married in June of 1959 in Rutherford, NJ. Bob had just received the Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering and in the fall was to begin his quest for ordination as a Methodist Minister in the Northern NJ Conference of the Methodist Church. This involved liberal arts courses and 3 years of exposure to theology and church management skills and Christian history at Drew Theological School. Carla supported her husband in the decision to enter the ministry, as in all their lives they both tended to be outspoke in issues of Civil Rights, family planning and women’s rights, as well as the need to provide emotional support to the people. In June of 1961, Bob was appointed to be pastor in Paterson, NJ, and their first two children began their early lives living in the Parsonage of that Church. Bob was later appointed to the Church in Weehawken, NJ, beginning in 1963 and to the Church in Edison, NJ in 1966. The life, however, of a minister and family was at times very difficult and the poor salaries with two children (and a third on the way), forced a second look at using an engineering degree, coupled with public speaking and writing skills, to seek employment at General Electric in Pittsfield as a Technical Writer. Together, Bob and Carla moved to Pittsfield, where their third daughter was born in 1968. Carla effortlessly tackled the task of caring for three children at home, getting them through their school years. As the children became more independent, Carla went back to work as a Nurse on the night shift at North Adams Regional Hospital. She did this for 2 years, and in 1982 then transferred to Pediatrics at the Pittsfield Hospital and Patient Teaching for both families and later adults. After a successful career, she retired from Berkshire Medical Center. Together Bob and Carla remained active in church life in the Pittsfield area. Besides her loving husband, she is survived by daughters Elizabeth Giguere (Tony), Karen Montini (Ron) and 7 grandchildren Stephanie Giguere, Christine Giguere, Jill Lesnick, Matthew Montini, Kathryn Montini, Ryleigh Costigan and James Costigan and 2 Great Grandchildren Connor and Joseph Walter, She is predeceased by her daughter Lori, who passed away at the young age of 50. While Carla will be greatly missed, she leaves a legacy of warmth, kindness, and love that will always be with us. As Carla always wholeheartedly believed—It’s been a wonderful life! Funeral Notice: A celebration of Carla’s life will be Saturday, May 20, 2023 at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North st, Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Planned Parenthood or the National Organization for Women in care of the Dwyer Funeral Home . Please visit www.dwyerfuneral.com to leave condolences and remembrances.

Mrs. Carla Skidmore

April 3, 1937 - January 5, 2023